Today you’re getting a list of the best CBD creams that you can currently buy.
We reviewed over 20 samples by testing their effects on exercise-induced inflammation and pain, including joint pain and muscle pain.
While these products may be helpful in relieving arthritis pain, chronic pain, or other types of pain, we only tested the pain-relief potential for exercise-induced joint- and muscle pain.
We only considered listing products that actually had an effect.
We then rated all effective products on:
- Cannabinoid- and terpene-profiles;
- Ingredients (whether they're natural and whether other anti-inflammatory compounds are present);
- Transparency of the brand with regards to hemp source, extraction processes, and third-party lab-test reports;
- Price, CBD you get per dollar, and;
- The latest scientific discoveries regarding the effectiveness of topical CBD products.
Keep reading!
What Science Can Tell Us About the Effectiveness of CBD Topicals
- There’s some evidence supporting the idea that topically applied CBD can help reduce pain and has anti-inflammatory effects (1).
- Studies show that CBD's beneficial effects are more potent taken together with other hemp-derived compounds (2, 3, 4);
- Studies show that besides CBD, a few other hemp-derived cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects when topically applied as well (THC, CBN) (1);
- Studies show that hemp-derived terpenes can have beneficial effects when topically applied (5);
- Studies show that there are many natural non-hemp-derived compounds like aloe vera that can be applied topically for beneficial effects (6, 7, 8), which theoretically, can be combined with CBD for even more beneficial effects.
The bottom line:
A high-quality CBD topical should contain a wide spectrum of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes, plus additional anti-inflammatory compounds.
The average stats of our reviewed topical products:
- Average CBD per dollar: 13.46mg;
- Average hemp-extract (CBD+other cannabinoids and terpenes) per dollar: 16.92mg.
Let’ start with our list:
Quickly go to…
- #1 Receptra Naturals Serious Relief Targeted Topical (Best Full-Spectrum CBD Cream)
- #2 R+R Medicinals Hemp-Extract-Infused Cream (Best Value CBD Cream)
- #3 Charlotte's Web (Great Value Cream)
- #4 CBDfx Gummies (Best Customer-Rated)
- #5 cbdMD (Best THC-Free)
- #6 CBDistillery (Best THC-Rich Cream)
- #7 Populum (Honorable Mention)
1. Receptra Naturals Serious Relief + Arnica Targeted Topical (Best Full-Spectrum CBD Cream)
Pros and Cons
- Best terpene-rich CBD cream (extremely high terpene-concentration)
- One of the only true full-spectrum CBD creams
- Added arnica, jojoba, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and camphor, for improved anti-inflammatory effects
- Misses a few anti-inflammatory cannabinoids like CBG
- Pricey
Check current price at:
Official Receptra Naturals Website
Price comparison to averages
Most ‘full-spectrum' and ‘broad-spectrum' topical CBD products don't really live up to their name. When you check the third-party lab-test reports of these so-called ‘full-spectrum' or ‘broad-spectrum' CBD oils, you'll see that they contain little to no other cannabinoids than CBD.
Although they may contain trace elements of other cannabinoids, we want more than that when it comes to ‘full-spectrum' and ‘broad-spectrum' CBD products.
Receptra Naturals is one of the few brands that always provide true full-spectrum products. This Serious Relief Topical contains very high concentrations of other hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes compared to other CBD creams.
With a full-spectrum-ratio of 1.87, for every 1mg of CBD, you almost get 2mg of other hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes.
This cream has an especially high concentration of terpenes. For every 1mg of CBD, you get 1.7mg of terpenes.
Here's why this is so amazing:
Many terpenes are associated with anti-inflammatory effects. These terpenes don't only have anti-inflammatory effects in and of themselves but may act synergistically to CBD's anti-inflammatory effects as well.
While most topical creams are bolstered with other non-hemp anti-inflammatory compounds, there are no studies suggesting that these non-hemp-derived compounds like white willow bark act synergistically to CBD.
If you want to enhance CBD's inflammatory effects, you should get additional anti-inflammatory compounds that come from the same plant your CBD is extracted from:
- Terpenes like limonene and linalool, and
- Cannabinoids like cannabigerol.
When it comes to CBD products for inflammation and pain, you especially want additional pain- and inflammation-relieving compounds that work together with CBD.
Otherwise, you might as well get any type of pain-relieving cream to relieve your pain.
Now:
On top of this amazing foundation of cannabinoids and terpenes, this cream is bolstered with additional pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory compounds:
- Arnica;
- Jojoba;
- Jasmine;
- Ylang-ylang, and;
- Camphor.
All of these compounds are associated with anti-inflammatory effects.
While this is one of the more expensive options when we look at how much CBD you get per dollar, when we look at how much full-spectrum hemp-extract you get per dollar, it suddenly becomes the most affordable option on the list.
This is the best cannabinoid- and terpene-rich cream that you can get.
- Receptra Naturals 15% off coupon code: Herbonaut
Official Receptra Naturals Website
Next up…
2.R+R Medicinals Hemp-Extract Infused Cream (Best Value CBD Cream)
Pros and Cons
- Best value for money full-spectrum CBD cream
- One of the few true full-spectrum CBD creams
- Added MSM, Arnica Montana, and Calendula Flower, for improved anti-inflammatory effects
- Hemp extract used in product is USDA Organic certified
- None
Check current price at:
Official R+R Medicinals Website
Price comparison to averages
R+R Medicinals is, without a doubt our best value-for-money CBD brand. All of their products are truly full-spectrum. They contain a wide spectrum of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes…
And this cream is no different. Together with Receptra Naturals Targeted Topical, these two creams are the only topicals on the list that can truly be classified as ‘full-spectrum'.
And while Receptra Naturals' premium cannabinoid- and terpene-rich topical is a bit more expensive than the average from a CBD-per-dollar perspective…
R+R Medicinals is truly full-spectrum AND even more affordable than the other options on the list.
In fact:
From a CBD per dollar perspective, this is the most affordable option on our list. If you get this cream, a single dollar gets you 23.74mg of topically active CBD.
Add to this all the additional cannabinoids and terpenes that work synergistically to CBD…
Plus, non-hemp anti-inflammatory compounds like:
- Added MSM;
- Arnica Montana, and
- Calendula Flower,
And you have an amazing cocktail of compounds that have a big chance of relieving inflammation and pain.
Official R+R Medicinals Website
Next up…
3. Charlotte's Web Hemp-Infused Cream with CBD (Great Value)
Pros and Cons
- Amazing value for money option
- Vertically integrated brand (grows own hemp plants)
- Added aloe vera, coconut oil, oat extract, and sea buckthorn oil for improved anti-inflammatory effects
- Advertised as full-spectrum product, but lab-test results only show THC-content
- Based on lab-test report, it's a broad-spectrum product at most (not full-spectrum)
Check current price at:
Official Charlotte's Web Website
Price comparison to averages
Charlotte’s Web is one of the few CBD brands that have full control over the complete manufacturing process of its products.From the moment they plant the hemp seed to the final formulation of their products…
Charlotte’s Web tests their products up to 20 times before they reach you.
Their topicals are no different in that regard. It’s made from the same hemp that their well-respected CBD oil is made from.
This means, in theory, that you’re getting a true full-spectrum cream with Charlotte’s Web. However, looking at the lab-test reports we can only see trace elements of other cannabinoids than CBD. And we can't see any terpenes (that might be because they don't test for that).
So whether this product is truly full-spectrum is up for debate.
That being said…
Looking at how much CBD you get per dollar (20mg), this is another amazing value for money option.
Also, if you're looking for a THC-free cream, according to the lab-test report, this cream doesn't contain any THC. However, keep in mind that it does get advertised as a full-spectrum product. So there's some discrepancy there.
Like all the options on the list, this one is bolstered with additional non-hemp anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing compounds:
- Aloe vera;
- Oat extract, and;
- Sea buckthorn oil.
In addition, Charlotte's Web ensures that this cream is:
- Free of 8 major allergens
- Was designed and manufactured without animal testing
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
You would think that such a high-quality cream is expensive…
But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
With 750mg of hemp extract for $35 with our coupon code, this is one of the most affordable options on the list.
Click the link below to go to Charlotte’s Web website:
- Charlotte's Web 15% off coupon code: HERBONAUT
Next up…
4. CBDfx CBD Cream For Muscle & Joint: Cooling Formula 1000mg (Best Customer-Rated)
Pros and Cons
- Highly transparent company
- Great customer ratings (4.8/5)
- Added menthol, white willow bark and caffeine for improved anti-inflammatory effects
- Contains almost only CBD
- Not good value for a product that barely contains anything but CBD
When it comes to CBD products…We consistently rank CBDfx products in our top 10 lists.
Here’s why:
- They sell some of the best customer-rated CBD products that you can find. Their topical CBD products have thousands of reviews with an average rating of 4.6/5 stars.
- They let each and every product they sell get extensively third-party lab-tested on toxins, contaminants, and cannabinoid-content by third-party laboratories.
- Their products contain organic ingredients for the most part.
While most of their topical products only contain trace elements of other cannabinoids and terpenes, it's better than having none at all.
And with 20mg of CBD per dollar, this is another great value for money THC-free option.
Although CBDfx cream doesn’t contain other beneficial cannabinoids like THC or CBC at such high concentrations as Charlotte’s Web for example…
It does contain at least trace amounts of other cannabinoids.
Besides hemp-derived compounds, CBDfx cream contains two other proven natural pain-reducing compounds:
- Menthol;
- Caffeine, and;
- White willow bark.
This is the only option on the list that contains a small amount of caffeine to stimulate your blood flow.
The bottom line:
CBDfx cream is a great combination of natural pain-reducing compounds and has some of the best customer ratings of all CBD topicals we've ever reviewed.
Click the link below to go to the CBDfx website:
5. cbdMD CBD Recover Pain Relieving Formula 1500mg (Best THC-Free)
Pros and Cons
- Publically-traded company, is subject to a lot of scrutiny, therefore its highly transparent
- 60-day satisfaction-guarantee
- Added histamine dihydrochloride, arnica montana, methylsulfonylmethane, vitamin B6, aloe vera, for improved anti-inflammatory effects
- Advertised as broad-spectrum, but contains almost no other cannabinoids
- Expensive for a product that contains no other cannabinoids or terpenes
As you know already: When it comes to CBD products, we highly value ‘full-spectrum’ CBD products. But full-spectrum CBD products always contain a certain level of THC (always less than 0.3%).
If you don’t want ANY THC in your product, full-spectrum topicals are off the table.
What are some reasons as to why you would want to avoid THC?
Well, for example:
- You could be subjected to regular drug tests, and these always test for THC;
- You could be on a certain medication that interferes with the metabolization of THC, making a small amount of THC much more potent than it usually is.
If you want to avoid THC, I highly recommend getting this cream from cbdMD. While some creams on this list don't contain THC on paper, with cbdMD you know with 100% certainty that all of their products are THC-free. cbdMD is a 100% THC-free CBD company.
Although this cream doesn’t contain THC, it does contain trace elements of other beneficial hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes.
This means that, although not as potent as a true full-spectrum topical, it’s more potent than a CBD-only topical.
In addition to CBD, this cream contains additional natural pain-relieving compounds like:
- Histamine dihydrochloride;
- Arnica Montana;
- Methylsulfonylmethane;
- Vitamin B6, and;
- Aloe vera.
The bottom line:
If you’re looking for a THC-free option, this is your best option.
Click the link below to go to cbdMD’s website:
6. CBDistillery CBDol Topical – CBD Salve – 500mg (Best THC-Rich Cream)
Pros and Cons
- One of the few CBD creams that also contains THC
- 60-day satisfaction-guarantee
- Added essential oils, botanical extracts, and rosemary antioxidant etxract, for improved anti-inflammatory effects
- Expensive from a CBD per dollar perspective
CBDistillery is an old-timer in the CBD industry. They have been around for many years, even before hemp was legalized on a federal level.
While their CBD tinctures are decent value for money options, their topical salve is priced significantly higher than five of the other options on the list.
A single dollar only gets 10mg of CBD.
But if you want a significant concentration of THC inside your cream, then this is your best option.
Most CBD topicals don't contain more than 0.05 THC. CBol Topical contains 0.13% THC, that's almost 3-times higher than the next best THC-rich CBD cream (R+R Medicinals cream has 0.05%).
While a lot of CBD companies pride themselves in having THC-free products, THC is actually a highly beneficial compound for inflammatory skin disorders. Various studies indicate that THC has anti-inflammatory effects when topically applied to the skin (9).
And this topical CBD salve contains the most THC of all topical products we have reviewed.
With this cream, you also get trace elements of various other hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes…plus you get a WIDE variety of non-hemp compounds that have various benefits when topically applied.
For example:
- Essential oils (including lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus), and;
- Botanical extracts (rosemary, chamomile, and white willow);
This CBD salve probably has the widest variety of topically active, beneficial compounds.
But what makes CBDistellry’s offer truly unique is the following:
- A 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
Yes, you’ve read that right. You can try this CBD salve for 60 days before you even decide it’s worth the money.
You couldn’t find a more risk-free purchase when it comes to CBD products.
Click the link below to go CBDistillery’s website:
Up next…
7. Populum Cold Therapy Hemp Rub (Honorable Mention)
Pros and Cons
- Really good customer-reviews (4.9/5)
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Added arnica, chamomile, and aloe vera, for improved anti-inflammatory effects
- Advertised as broad-spectrum, but lab-test only shows CBD
- Extremely expensive
While this is the most expensive option on the list…
Populum CBD cream deserves a spot because we had good results with it compared to some other creams that didn't make it.
This could be related to a high concentration of non-CBD or non-hemp anti-inflammatory compounds.
This cream contains some CBD and:
- Arnica;
- Chamomile, and;
- Aloe vera.
It could be that this cream contains very high concentrations of these compounds and that's why it's relatively effective in relieving localized pain. Because its cannabinoid-concentration is very low.
It does get advertised as a broad-spectrum cream. But when we look at the lab-test reports, we only see CBD present.
Even with all these downsides, it deserves a spot on our list because our test results were good with it.
Click the link below to go Populum’s website:
Topical CBD Products vs CBD Oil and Other Edible Forms of CBD
The main benefits of using a CBD cream vs a CBD oil are:
- You can really target localized ‘inflamed’ or ‘pain-heavy’ areas.
- It can produce the same effects in these localized areas, with less CBD, lower peak plasma concentrations, and with fewer side effects.
The downsides of CBD cream vs CBD oil are:
- CBD creams have a less wide range of potential uses. They can only be used for inflammation- and pain-related conditions, while edible forms of CBD like CBD oil or CBD gummies can be used for its anti-anxiety and sleep-improving effects as well, for example.
- There’s more scientific proof supporting the benefits of edible forms of CBD.
How to Use CBD Cream
Never eat CBD cream.
All CBD creams, lotions, balms, and gels are only suited to be used topically.
In general, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Potential Benefits of CBD Cream
There’s some evidence supporting the idea that topically applied CBD can help reduce pain and has anti-inflammatory properties.
In one animal study, topically applied CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain-related behaviors in a rat model of arthritis (10).
In another study, researchers found that topical application of CBD has improved inflammatory skin disorders like encephalomyelitis (EAE) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (1).
This same study found that topical application of CBD can have anti-inflammatory effects in patients with acne scars.
In general, CBD is associated with a variety of potential benefits, but the ones that seem most relevant to CBD creams, gels, and lotions are its anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects.
If you want to learn more about how CBD interacts with various receptors that are related to pain, read:
Is CBD Cream Legal?
Hemp-derived CBD products are legal on a federal level in the U.S. That means the product contains less than 0.3% THC.
Whether CBD products are legal in your state differs per state, but in most states, CBD products are legal on a federal level.
Learn More More About CBD
The Best CBD Oils: A list of our most recommended CBD oil brands, includes full-spectrum CBD oils, broad-spectrum CBD oils, and CBD isolates. All are 3th-party lab-tested to confirm they're contaminant-free and contain high levels of CBD.
The Best CBD Gummies: A list of our recommended CBD gummies. All are 3th-party lab-tested to confirm they're contaminant-free and contain high levels of CBD.
The Best CBD Vape Oils: A list of our recommended CBD vape oils. All are 3th-party lab-tested to confirm they're contaminant-free and contain high levels of CBD.
The Benefits of CBD Oil: A review of over 100 studies that found potential health benefits associated with CBD.
CBD Oil and Anxiety: A review of studies that looked at CBD's mechanism of action in relation to its anxiety-reducing effects and experimental studies that looked at the effects of CBD on anxiety in humans.
CBD Oil and Pain: A review of studies that looked at CBD's mechanism of action in relation to its pain-reducing effects and experimental/case studies that looked at the effects of CBD on pain in humans.
CBD and Terpenes: An exploration of the relationship between CBD and terpenes and why there's a strong theoretical foundation of combining both.
CBD Isolate vs Full-Spectrum: A deep-dive into the different types of CBD products: CBD isolate, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum, and their pros and cons for you as a CBD products consumer.
Scientific References:
- Palmieri, B., Laurino, C., & Vadalà, M. (2019). A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars. La Clinica terapeutica, 170(2), e93–e99. https://doi.org/10.7417/CT.2019.2116
- Pamplona, F. A., da Silva, L. R., & Coan, A. C. (2018). Potential Clinical Benefits of CBD-Rich Cannabis Extracts Over Purified CBD in Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy: Observational Data Meta-analysis. Frontiers in neurology, 9, 759. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00759
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McPartland, J. M., & Russo, E. B. (2001). Cannabis and Cannabis Extracts. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 1(3–4), 103–132. https://doi.org/10.1300/j175v01n03_08
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Russo, E. B. (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), 1344–1364. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x
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Petrović, J., Stojković, D., & Soković, M. (2019). Terpene core in selected aromatic and edible plants: Natural health improving agents. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 423–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.afnr.2019.02.009
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Higashi, Y., Kiuchi, T., & Furuta, K. (2010). Efficacy and safety profile of a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch in adult patients with mild to moderate muscle strain: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Clinical Therapeutics, 32(1), 34–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2010.01.016
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Eshghi, F., Hosseinimehr, S. J., Rahmani, N., Khademloo, M., Norozi, M. S., & Hojati, O. (2010). Effects of Aloe vera Cream on Posthemorrhoidectomy Pain and Wound Healing: Results of a Randomized, Blind, Placebo-Control Study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(6), 647–650. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0428
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Bost, J., Maroon, A., & Maroon, J. (2010). Natural anti-inflammatory agents for pain relief. Surgical Neurology International, 1(1), 80. https://doi.org/10.4103/2152-7806.73804
- Kakkar, V., Kaur, I. P., Kaur, A. P., Saini, K., & Singh, K. K. (2018). Topical delivery of tetrahydrocurcumin lipid nanoparticles effectively inhibits skin inflammation: in vitro and in vivo study. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 44(10), 1701–1712. https://doi.org/10.1080/03639045.2018.1492607
- Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2015). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European Journal of Pain, 20(6), 936–948. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.818
